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Archive 2020 · 2020 Midrange Shootout! 24-70 GM vs Sigma 24-70 DN vs Sony 24-105 vs Tam...

snapsy
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · 2020 Midrange Shootout! 24-70 GM vs Sigma 24-70 DN vs Sony 24-105 vs Tamron 28-75 vs Nikon 24-70 Z

All shot on an A7r IV except for Nikon 24-70Z shot on a Z7. Focused at center at f/2.8 for each focal length. Tripod, 2-second timer delay, electronic shutter, IS off. ISO 200, Shutter speeds of 1/4000 (f/2.8) to 1/500 (f/8). Shot raw and processed in LR with all defaults except sharpening set to 45/0.7/35. Composite comparisons show center, midrange, and extreme right edge, all 100% crops. Sunny day with light filtered through thin high clouds, sun behind me, light intensity changed slightly between lenses.

All lenses are reasonably well centered except for the Sigma, which exhibits significant tilting at 50mm at all apertures (full-sized 50mm f/2.8 image - left side soft) - also tilted at 70mm but less so. Messed up the framing on the Tamron, so it shows a slightly shifted portion of the scene vs the other lenses compared.

Composite Comparison: 24mm
Composite Comparison: 28-30mm
Composite Comparison: 35mm
Composite Comparison: 50mm
Composite Comparison: 70mm

Here are the full-sized images for each lens. You can download all images in each gallery via a single-click of the downward facing arrow to the immediate left of the green "Buy Photos" button.

Full-Sized Images: Sony 24-70 GM
Full-Sized Images: Sigma 24-70 DN
Full-Sized Images: Sony 24-105
Full-Sized Images: Tamron 28-75
Full-Sized Images: Nikon 24-70Z

********** 1/21/20: RESHOOT **********

As mentioned here, the Sony 24-105 images @ 24mm were misfocused. Rather than just reshoot those, which wouldn't be comparable due to different lighting/conditions, I decided to reshoot the entire series. I thought it would be a good idea anyway as a check against the original results. This time I shot every lens/focal length combination four times (twice in a row for each lens, then cycled through all the other lenses before shooting the next two), refocusing focus for each, and took the sharpest of the four. This turned out to be the first shot since sharpness was the same all four times - the only exception was the Nikon 24-70Z @ 28mm, for which I chose the second sample.

Other differences vs the first shoot:

Changed the 28~30mm test to exactly 28mm to make the results more comparable at that focal range
Sky was clear vs moving high clouds, so lighting is more consistent this time
A7rIV: AF at full magnification vs normal magnification. Z7: Focused at full magnification for focus group 2b vs normal magnification for all
Matched WB between images
Increased brightness in post of edge crops in composite images to make comparisons easier
Slightly adjusted area of crops per lens in composite images to make comparisons easier

Reshoot Composite Comparison: 24mm
Reshoot Composite Comparison: 28mm
Reshoot Composite Comparison: 35mm
Reshoot Composite Comparison: 50mm
Reshoot Composite Comparison: 70mm

Here is a composite showing all four focus attempts for each lens/focal length. These are all wide-open (f/2.8 for all lenses except the 24-105, which is at f/4). Note that focus group 'b' has contrastier lighting vs group 'a' since they were shot after all group 'b' images were taken.

Reshoot Composite Focus Comparison: 24mm
Reshoot Composite Focus Comparison: 28mm
Reshoot Composite Focus Comparison: 35mm
Reshoot Composite Focus Comparison: 50mm
Reshoot Composite Focus Comparison: 70mm

Here is a comparison of the FOV @ 24mm between the lenses. The Sigma 24-70 has a noticeably wider FOV vs the other lens. Framing was done so that content of the right edge is the same, meaning FOV differences will be noticeable by how much content you can see at the left edge of the frame:

Animation: FOV comparison @ 24mm

Finally, here are galleries with the full-sized images for the crops displayed in the composite comparison images. All are from focus group 1a except for the 24-70Z @ 28mm, which is focus group 2a. You can download all images in each gallery via a single-click of the downward facing arrow to the immediate left of the green "Buy Photos" button.

Full-Sized Images: Sony 24-70 GM
Full-Sized Images: Sigma 24-70 DN
Full-Sized Images: Sony 24-105
Full-Sized Images: Tamron 28-75
Full-Sized Images: Nikon 24-70Z

Edited on Jan 22, 2020 at 09:40 PM · View previous versions

Jan 17, 2020 at 10:57 AM

keepcoding
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · 2020 Midrange Shootout! 24-70 GM vs Sigma 24-70 DN vs Sony 24-105 vs Tamron 28-75 vs Nikon 24-70 Z

Thanks for the comparison, good job!
Did you order all of them just for the comparison? Which one are you going to keep?

[edit] your copy of the Sigma looks quite impressive, is it perfectly centered?

Jan 17, 2020 at 11:52 AM

InFocus2014
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · 2020 Midrange Shootout! 24-70 GM vs Sigma 24-70 DN vs Sony 24-105 vs Tamron 28-75 vs Nikon 24-70 Z

Thank you for posting your tests!

Based upon other published results, I was considering cancelling my pre-order. After viewing your results, I am impressed with the Sigma (at least your copy) and will keep my pre-order intact.

What was interesting was your results for the 24-105mm. I tried this lens when it was released and was sorely disappointed with the results; and, could never understand all the accolades this lens seems to garner. Your results look like mine.

Jeff
www.gr8photography.com

Jan 17, 2020 at 12:19 PM

twentysevenone
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · 2020 Midrange Shootout! 24-70 GM vs Sigma 24-70 DN vs Sony 24-105 vs Tamron 28-75 vs Nikon 24-70 Z

Much as I've loved the 24-105/4, this post is making me increasingly look at replacing it with the Sigma 24-70. Thanks for the post!

Jan 17, 2020 at 01:11 PM

snapsy
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · 2020 Midrange Shootout! 24-70 GM vs Sigma 24-70 DN vs Sony 24-105 vs Tamron 28-75 vs Nikon 24-70 Z

keepcoding wrote:
Thanks for the comparison, good job!
Did you order all of them just for the comparison? Which one are you going to keep?

[edit] your copy of the Sigma looks quite impressive, is it perfectly centered?

Thanks. I already owned all the lenses in the comparison - just received the Sigma this week. The Sigma is tilted severely at 50mm and a bit at 70mm. You can see this by viewing the full-sized photos in the Sigma gallery link in my OP.

Jan 17, 2020 at 01:33 PM

keepcoding
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · 2020 Midrange Shootout! 24-70 GM vs Sigma 24-70 DN vs Sony 24-105 vs Tamron 28-75 vs Nikon 24-70 Z

snapsy wrote:
Thanks. I already owned all the lenses in the comparison - just received the Sigma this week. The Sigma is tilted severely at 50mm and a bit at 70mm. You can see this by viewing the full-sized photos in the Sigma gallery link in my OP.

Hm, that's a pity. There have been several reports of decentered 24-70 DN lenses (even review samples seem to be affected). Sigma really needs to step up their QC. They seem to be under financial pressure, but I would much prefer to pay a bit more and get a good copy on the first try.

Jan 17, 2020 at 02:22 PM

samosh
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · 2020 Midrange Shootout! 24-70 GM vs Sigma 24-70 DN vs Sony 24-105 vs Tamron 28-75 vs Nikon 24-70 Z

InFocus2014 wrote:
Thank you for posting your tests!

Based upon other published results, I was considering cancelling my pre-order. After viewing your results, I am impressed with the Sigma (at least your copy) and will keep my pre-order intact.

What was interesting was your results for the 24-105mm. I tried this lens when it was released and was sorely disappointed with the results; and, could never understand all the accolades this lens seems to garner. Your results look like mine.

Jeff
www.gr8photography.com

I already had 24-70 GM when I purchase 24-105 G. I sent 24-105 back because in my opinion it didn't measure up to 24-70 GM. After reading how great this lens is I questioned if I just didn't get a good copy. Later I decided that I have the range covered by 70-200 so I don't need to experiment with a different copy 24-105.

Jan 17, 2020 at 06:27 PM

snapsy
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · 2020 Midrange Shootout! 24-70 GM vs Sigma 24-70 DN vs Sony 24-105 vs Tamron 28-75 vs Nikon 24-70 Z

keepcoding wrote:
Hm, that's a pity. There have been several reports of decentered 24-70 DN lenses (even review samples seem to be affected). Sigma really needs to step up their QC. They seem to be under financial pressure, but I would much prefer to pay a bit more and get a good copy on the first try.

I found a comparison I did two years ago between the 24-70 GM and 24-105 (on A7rII) - those were two different copies of the lenses which I no longer own. That 24-105 looks much closer to the 24-70GM in that comparison, specifically at 24mm. When I have time I'll go back out and retest just 24mm on the 24-105mm to make sure it wasn't a misfocus. Here's the composite comparison from that test two years ago:

Sony 24-105 vs 24-70, Landscape Comp (Large Image)

Jan 17, 2020 at 06:37 PM

sandycrane
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · 2020 Midrange Shootout! 24-70 GM vs Sigma 24-70 DN vs Sony 24-105 vs Tamron 28-75 vs Nikon 24-70 Z

twentysevenone wrote:
Much as I've loved the 24-105/4, this post is making me increasingly look at replacing it with the Sigma 24-70. Thanks for the post!

So, you trust a stranger's one off, obviously flawed test over your own long term experience?

Jan 18, 2020 at 09:42 AM

twentysevenone
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · 2020 Midrange Shootout! 24-70 GM vs Sigma 24-70 DN vs Sony 24-105 vs Tamron 28-75 vs Nikon 24-70 Z

My own experiences have told me that the 24-105 works great for travel and landscapes, but I can't necessarily say there is not and will never be a superior option. Posts like this are a data point toward the question of whether there is a better choice.

There have been times when I could have used a faster aperture. But on the other hand the 70-105 range has been very useful to me as well. Had the Sigma been available at the time it would have been a difficult choice.

sandycrane wrote:
So, you trust a stranger's one off, obviously flawed test over your own long term experience?

Jan 18, 2020 at 11:16 AM

sandycrane
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · 2020 Midrange Shootout! 24-70 GM vs Sigma 24-70 DN vs Sony 24-105 vs Tamron 28-75 vs Nikon 24-70 Z

I understand completely what you mean. I just wanted to point out that making any determination using the samples provided so far would be a mistake.

Jan 18, 2020 at 11:31 AM

billsnature
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · 2020 Midrange Shootout! 24-70 GM vs Sigma 24-70 DN vs Sony 24-105 vs Tamron 28-75 vs Nikon 24-70 Z

snapsy wrote:
I found a comparison I did two years ago between the 24-70 GM and 24-105 (on A7rII) - those were two different copies of the lenses which I no longer own. That 24-105 looks much closer to the 24-70GM in that comparison, specifically at 24mm. When I have time I'll go back out and retest just 24mm on the 24-105mm to make sure it wasn't a misfocus. Here's the composite comparison from that test two years ago:

Sony 24-105 vs 24-70, Landscape Comp (Large Image)

First... Thank you for doing and posting these tests.

What I do notice is that the "brightness" or effective exposure of the pictures doesn't look the same. In the most recent test, the 24-70 GM looks slightly darker to me which tends to make it look like it has higher resolution and higher contrast. In the older test of the 24-105 vs the 24-70GM, the 24-105GM image looks slightly darker and higher contrast, and therefore appears as good as GM.

Is there something going on in exposure or in lens profiles that is effecting the brightness of output image? The apparent color/darkness of the roof and foliage seems too different for me to compare IQ's. I frequently have this issue in comparative lens testing and can easily change preference just by making small exposure changes.

Bill

Jan 18, 2020 at 11:39 AM

baltmin
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · 2020 Midrange Shootout! 24-70 GM vs Sigma 24-70 DN vs Sony 24-105 vs Tamron 28-75 vs Nikon 24-70 Z

The performance of the sigma looks very solid. The high risk to get a decentered copy however discourages me from replacing my GM.

I would like to add to the conversation the fact that at least my copy of the GM has field curvature between 24mm and 40mm. I would repeat the test with focusing in the mid frame and corner. I believe the GM will be a lot closer to the sigma in this case. 70mm is its weak spot and I think the sigma beats the GM for sure on that focal length.

Jan 18, 2020 at 12:54 PM

sye46
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · 2020 Midrange Shootout! 24-70 GM vs Sigma 24-70 DN vs Sony 24-105 vs Tamron 28-75 vs Nikon 24-70 Z

The lens has barely been out and already there is a reputation for it being high risk decentering?

baltmin wrote:
The performance of the sigma looks very solid. The high risk to get a decentered copy however discourages me from replacing my GM.

I would like to add to the conversation the fact that at least my copy of the GM has field curvature between 24mm and 40mm. I would repeat the test with focusing in the mid frame and corner. I believe the GM will be a lot closer to the sigma in this case. 70mm is its weak spot and I think the sigma beats the GM for sure on that focal length.

Jan 18, 2020 at 12:57 PM

snapsy
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · 2020 Midrange Shootout! 24-70 GM vs Sigma 24-70 DN vs Sony 24-105 vs Tamron 28-75 vs Nikon 24-70 Z

billsnature wrote:
First... Thank you for doing and posting these tests.

What I do notice is that the "brightness" or effective exposure of the pictures doesn't look the same. In the most recent test, the 24-70 GM looks slightly darker to me which tends to make it look like it has higher resolution and higher contrast. In the older test of the 24-105 vs the 24-70GM, the 24-105GM image looks slightly darker and higher contrast, and therefore appears as good as GM.

Is there something going on in exposure or in lens profiles that is effecting the brightness of output image? The apparent...Show more →

In past comparisons I've adjusted the brightness in post to make it easier to compare. For this one I got lazy since I'm able to still visually compare acuity even with brightness differences but I understand how many would prefer the brightness to be the same. I'm planning to reshoot the series when the weather cooperates to account for a single misfocused series on the 24-105mm @ 24mm - when I do I'll adjust the exposure in post to bring them close. Btw the reason the brightness is different from the set is due to shifting high clouds when I shot, plus the various transmission differences between lenses (t/stops).

Jan 18, 2020 at 03:49 PM

snapsy
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · 2020 Midrange Shootout! 24-70 GM vs Sigma 24-70 DN vs Sony 24-105 vs Tamron 28-75 vs Nikon 24-70 Z

I went out today and did a recheck of the 24-105mm @ 24mm and verified the images in the OP were misfocused for that focal length. I also rechecked 35mm, 50mm, and 70mm and those match the OP images so it's only 24mm. I'm planning to reshoot the entire series on the next sunny day so that I have a better exposure match and also to correct the 24-105mm 24mm shots. I'll be shooting 3 sets at every focal length, refocusing for each, and using the sharpest of the three.

In the meantime here's the recheck of the 24-105mm @ 24mm f/4 I shot today - original image on left, reshoot on right:

Sony 24-105 @ 24mm f/4, Recheck vs OP image, 100% center crop

Jan 18, 2020 at 03:52 PM

RayinNY
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · 2020 Midrange Shootout! 24-70 GM vs Sigma 24-70 DN vs Sony 24-105 vs Tamron 28-75 vs Nikon 24-70 Z

Jan 18, 2020 at 03:54 PM

Michael Everet
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · 2020 Midrange Shootout! 24-70 GM vs Sigma 24-70 DN vs Sony 24-105 vs Tamron 28-75 vs Nikon 24-70 Z

billsnature wrote:
First... Thank you for doing and posting these tests.

What I do notice is that the "brightness" or effective exposure of the pictures doesn't look the same. In the most recent test, the 24-70 GM looks slightly darker to me which tends to make it look like it has higher resolution and higher contrast. In the older test of the 24-105 vs the 24-70GM, the 24-105GM image looks slightly darker and higher contrast, and therefore appears as good as GM.

Is there something going on in exposure or in lens profiles that is effecting the brightness of output image? The apparent...Show more →

I agree with Bill on this point. The 24-105 looks kind of washed out because of the brightness. I think we all know that backing off on brightness in PP if not actually in shooting gives a bright image better contrast and hence the appearance of better resolution. This is not to say that the 24-105's resolution is as good as the GM's (nor it it to say the opposite), just that the brightness will affect the appearance of the IQ.

Jan 18, 2020 at 04:04 PM

vdo1
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · 2020 Midrange Shootout! 24-70 GM vs Sigma 24-70 DN vs Sony 24-105 vs Tamron 28-75 vs Nikon 24-70 Z

The Sony 24-105 looks like it's coming alive at f/5.6. So from a practical perspective we're looking at 2.8 vs 5.6. From my pov the extra "reach" hardly compensates this.

Jan 18, 2020 at 06:37 PM

chez
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · 2020 Midrange Shootout! 24-70 GM vs Sigma 24-70 DN vs Sony 24-105 vs Tamron 28-75 vs Nikon 24-70 Z

vdo1 wrote:
The Sony 24-105 looks like it's coming alive at f/5.6. So from a practical perspective we're looking at 2.8 vs 5.6. From my pov the extra "reach" hardly compensates this.

Depends what one shoots. I used my Canon 24-105 for handheld landscapes when shooting my 5d2 and typically was stopped down to at least f5.6 and more realistically f8.

Jan 18, 2020 at 06:40 PM

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